Maccabiah milestone: Taiwan’s official 2026 delegation embodies growing ties with Israel - opinion

Taiwan's participation as an official delegation in the recent Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem marks a significant historical moment, symbolizing the deepening friendship and cooperation between Taiwan and Israel. This milestone underscores decades of quiet growth in bilateral relations, extending beyond governmental and trade ties to encompass cultural exchanges, academic partnerships, and personal connections.

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Taiwan and Israel are separated by thousands of kilometers, yet our societies recognize something in each other. Both are energetic democracies with innovative economies.

Both Taiwan and Israel are described as energetic democracies with innovative economies that understand the importance of protecting their identity while remaining open to the world. The article highlights that both nations recognize survival is not guaranteed and value friendship expressed through action. This shared understanding forms the bedrock of their increasingly robust relationship, which has expanded across innovation, health, education, culture, tourism, and business sectors.

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Both have learned that survival cannot be taken for granted, and that identity must be protected while remaining open to the world. Above all, both understand that friendship is most valuable when it is expressed in action.

Beyond official agreements, the deepest ties are forged on an individual level, such as when Israeli students learn Mandarin in Taiwan or Taiwanese visitors experience Jewish culture firsthand. Jeffrey D. Schwartz, founder of the Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association (JTCA), exemplifies this personal connection. After living in Taiwan for over 50 years, his late wife encouraged him to embrace his Jewish identity, leading them to establish the JTCA and, in December 2021, the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center in Taipei.

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After he had lived in Taiwan for more than 50 years, his late wife, Na Tang, once told him that the only thing truly distinguishing him from the Taiwanese around him was his Jewish soul. She then encouraged him to embrace it more fully: to keep learning and to serve the Jewish people, Taiwan, and Israel.

The Jewish Community Center in Taipei serves as a hub for Jewish life, offering services, kosher food, a synagogue, and educational programs. It also acts as an invitation to Taiwanese society, welcoming non-Jewish visitors eager to learn about Judaism. This initiative, supported by the Taiwan government, fosters mutual understanding and strengthens the cultural bridge between the two societies, reflecting a shared commitment to building meaningful relationships.

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It was designed both as a home for Jewish life and as an invitation to Taiwanese society.